‘Hunger Games’ Sequel Already in the Works

Gary Ross will return to direct a script from the writer of Slumdog Millionaire.

Before you ask, no, we still haven't read The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, or the rest of that particular sci-fi trilogy. We did, however, see Battle Royale, and have a hard time believing that the upcoming film from Seabiscuit director Gary Ross will hold up to that modern classic. Lionsgate doesn't agree with us though. They've already started working on the second film in the series, Catching Fire, a title which probably has less to do with herpes than we think it does.

The Wrap has confirmed that Gary Ross is all set to return for Catching Fire, which finds the survivors of The Hunger Games forced back into the ring amidst political revolution. But while Ross was able to find time to write the screenplay for The Hunger Games himself, along with original writer Suzanne Collins, this time he's enlisted the help of Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winning writer of Slumdog Millionaire. He's an intriguing choice to write a sci-fi action movie, having dedicated most of his career to emotional comedies and dramas like The Full Monty, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and the upcoming Salmon Fishing in Yemen, a film about salmon fishing. In Yemen. Badass? Well, okay, he also co-wrote 127 Hours. That one was legitimately badass.

Still though, it's hard not to feel like Lionsgate's acting like our parents, buying us clothes and hoping we'll grow into them. Are they trying to guilt us into seeing The Hunger Games? "Come on, audiences! We've already paid for the next one! You don't want us to have to make another Saw, do you?"

Then again, this is the same company that thinks they can squeeze another film out of the Twilight franchise, even though the actual "story" is done. Let's not put anything past them.

CraveOnline will be back with more Hunger Games news after we put together a tribute band.